HISTORY

USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB 3) is the first purpose-built expeditionary sea base vessel for the United States Navy.  Its namesake is Lewis Burwell “Chesty” Puller, who served in the United States Marine Corps from 1918-1955, retiring as a lieutenant general.  Beginning his career fighting guerillas in Haiti and Nicaragua as part of the Banana Wars, he later served with distinction in World War II and the Korean War as a senior officer.  He is the most decorated Marine in American history, receiving five Navy Crosses and one Army Distinguished Service Cross during his career.

USS Lewis B. Puller was commissioned on Aug. 17, 2017 in Bahrain, and is the only U.S. vessel to be commissioned in a foreign port.  The ship's prefix changed from USNS to USS and  hull designation changed from T-ESB-3 to ESB-3.  The ship is permanently operating in U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations, serving to support a variety of low-intensity missions.  USS Lewis B. Puller is a hybrid-manned platform whose crew is comprised of a rotational military crew and Military Sealift Command civilian mariners.